Improvement in compositions for cleaning and refacing stone



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UNITED TATES ATENT FFIOE.

IRA W. HAGGETT, OF OHARLESTOWN, ASSIGNOR TO A. DAVIS, OF SOMER- VILLE, AND MATTHEW SMITH, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN COMPOSITIONS FOR CLEANING AND REFACING STONE.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 133,095, dated November 19, 1872.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, IRA WADLEIGH HAG- GETT, of Oharlestown, Middlesex county, State of Massachusetts, have invented a new" and Improved Mode of Cleaning the Faces of Cut and other Stone, which I call my Stone Itefacing Process; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact account of the character of the chemicals used and their mode of application.

Nature and Object of the Invention.

Chemicals, and Mode of Application. 1

For the purpose of cleaning granite I take one pound or thereabout of commercial oxalic acid to a pailful-say, twelve quarts-of cold water, and, by stirring, dissolve it thoroughly. This, however, is as strong a solution as I use. I sometimes use but three-quarters or one-half the quantity named of oxalic acid. I sometimes put the dry powder on the dampened stone and add water-this where there is any unusually tenacious spot. This will clean granite and marble; but for marble I prefer to use one-half pound of commercial chloride of lime dissolved in one pail or twelve quarts 0 water, cold. I sometimes, also, on marble alternate the application of chlorine and oxalic acid. I rub on both or either of these to the article treated, alternating with the rubbing on of cold water. For granite I also use one pint commercial sulphuric acid mixed with twelve quarts cold water. This for the first application, letting this stay on the stone treatedfor three to five minutes. Ithen remove it by washing Description of the the object with cold water. I then rub on with a brush the solution of oxalic acid hereinabove described, letting it stay three to five minutes. I then wash off this with cold water. I repeat this alternate application of sulphuric and oxalic acid, (with cold water,) letting the chemicals remain a greater or less time in contact with. the face of the stone, according to the thickness of the coating of dirt upon the same, until the stone is clean.

The use of sulphuric acid is for the purpose of expediting the process; but I can clean the granite, though not so quickly, by the use of oxalic acid alone.

I am aware that oxalic acid and oxalates have been used in cleaning stone, but the proportions and manner of applying it are quite different frommine. It is necessary that the strength of the acid and the method of applying should be governed by the quality of stone to be cleaned, and by actual experiment 1' have ascertained their condition so that any one of ordinary skill can apply the invention so as to clean the stone without injuring it, which could not be done prior to my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patcut, is

1. The process herein described for cleaning stone by the application of oxalic acid, substantially in the manner and in the proportions set forth.

2., The cleaning of the faces of stone by the alternate application of sulphuric and oxalic acids in solution, substantially as described.

3. The process of cleaning the faces of stone by the application of chlorine, in combination with a base of alkali or alkaline earth, either with or without the use of oxalic acid, all as set forth.

- his IRA WADLEIGH HAGGETT.

mark.

Witnesses:

LEMUEL POPE JENKs, A. G. BROWNLIE.

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